Is this you?
- ▸Tree on your house, garage, vehicle, or fence
- ▸Tree hung up in or touching a power line
- ▸Tree blocking your driveway, street, or emergency access
- ▸Partially fallen tree leaning on another tree or structure
- ▸Cracked trunk that visibly shifted in the last storm
- ▸Roots lifted out of the ground with the tree still standing
First, treat every downed tree as if it could move again. A tree leaning on another tree is loaded — meaning there's stored energy in the bend that can release at any moment. A tree on a roof is partially supported by the structure; if that structure shifts (or a branch breaks), the tree continues falling. Stay clear of the failure zone.
Second, treat every downed tree near power lines as if those lines are live. Avista crews do not always de-energize downed lines immediately — and "downed" doesn't always mean broken. A live line touching a tree can energize the entire tree, the wet ground around it, and any metal fence or gutter it's touching. People die from this every year. Stay back 35 feet minimum and call 911 to report it.
Third, document everything before you touch it. Photos and video of the tree as-fallen are critical for insurance claims. Wide shots showing the full scene, close-ups of the damage, and a photo of the trunk failure point (if visible). If it's safe, mark the time and date. Insurance adjusters will ask for this and the answer "I cleaned it up first" is the wrong answer.
Fourth, call us. (509) 204-4333. We answer 24/7 — including weekends, holidays, and 2 a.m. windstorms. Tell us exactly what's down, where, and whether anyone is hurt or trapped. We dispatch the crew with the right equipment based on what you describe: chainsaws for clean drops, climbing gear for hung-up trees, a crane for anything over a structure.
Fifth, call your homeowners insurance — but only after you've called us. Most adjusters will tell you to mitigate further damage (tarping the roof, securing the area) before they can come out. We do tarping and emergency stabilization as part of every storm response so you're covered on that front the moment our crew arrives.
Spokane / North Idaho Context
Spokane's emergency response window for trees on structures averages 2–4 hours during a major windstorm — sometimes longer if multiple jobs are stacked. The single biggest delay we see is homeowners who try to clear the tree themselves first with a borrowed chainsaw, get hurt or stuck, and then we're responding to a person and a tree instead of just a tree. Don't.
What to do right now
- 1Get everyone out of the affected room — even a stable tree-on-roof can shift hours later.
- 2Stay 35 feet from any line that may be touching the tree. Call 911 to report a downed line.
- 3Photograph the scene from multiple angles before moving anything.
- 4Call (509) 204-4333 — 24/7 emergency response across Spokane and North Idaho.
- 5Call your homeowners insurance after the crew is dispatched, not before.
- 6Stay off ladders and away from the tree until we arrive.
What it costs: Emergency tree-on-structure response typically runs $1,500–$6,000+ depending on size, crane requirement, and time-of-day. Most of this is insurance-covered when the cause was wind or storm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you respond at 2 a.m. on a Sunday?
Yes. We run a true 24/7 emergency line — not voicemail, not a call center. We accept emergency calls at (509) 204-4333 24/7 and dispatch from Spokane Valley — response timing depends on location, weather, crew availability, and safe access.
Should I move the tree off my car myself?
Don't. Trees on vehicles look simple but the weight distribution and stored tension can make a small cut release the entire load at once. Wait the 2 hours for us — your insurance will pay for it anyway.
Do I need to be home when you arrive?
For inside-the-home damage, ideally yes. For yard or driveway work, no — we can stabilize and quote, then return for the full removal when you're available.
Need an Expert Eye on That Tree?
Free on-site assessment by an experienced Spokane Valley crew. No pressure, just answers.